Compact flash x-ray source producing high average powers in nanosecond pulses

Abstract

X-ray diodes driven by repetitively pulsed Blumleins have been shown to be able to deliver high dose rates of x rays in pulses of nanosecond duration. Reported here is a study of the scaling of such devices conducted to isolate the primary factors limiting performance. Low residual gas pressure in the output diode together with the critical alignment of the electrodes were found essential for enhanced output. Optimizations served to increase the x-ray yield by an order of magnitude and the resulting performance is reported. At the output window, dose rates exceeding 1.4 kR min−1 were obtained in nanosecond pulses from the finished device of table top size at a charging voltage of 30 kV and a pulse repetition rate of 50 Hz.